Russell 2000 in 1994
The Russell 2000 fell 3.2% in 1994, from 258.59 at the end of 1993 to 250.36. Its highest close was 271.08 on Mar 18 — a record that stood until May 16, 1995, and its lowest 235.16 on Dec 9. The biggest one-day fall was −2.2% on Feb 4 and the biggest rise +2.8% on Apr 5. Adjusted for inflation, it lost 5.7%.
Russell 2000, daily closes 1994
Numbers mark the events belowKey Events in 1994
What happened, and how the Russell 2000 moved — on the day (or the next trading day) and about a month later.
- 1
Saturday, January 1North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) enters into force. SourceRussell 2000: −0.8% next trading day (Jan 3) · +3.1% a month later
- 2
Wednesday, January 12 From the dataRussell 2000 sets the first of 14 record closing highs this year, at 260.23.
- 3
Friday, February 4Fed raises its federal funds target to 3.25%, its first tightening since 1989, starting a bond-market sell-off. SourceRussell 2000: −2.2% that day · −0.3% a month later
- 4
Friday, March 18 From the dataLast record close of the year: 271.08.
- 5
Tuesday, April 5 From the dataBiggest one-day rise of the year: +2.8%.
- 6
Tuesday, December 20Mexico devalues the peso, triggering the Mexican peso crisis; the peso is floated two days later. SourceRussell 2000: +0.1% that day · +4.4% a month later
Biggest days of 1994
| Best days | Worst days | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Apr 5 | +2.8% | Feb 4 | −2.2% |
| Dec 30 | +1.4% | Mar 29 | −2.1% |
| Dec 15 | +1.4% | Nov 22 | −1.8% |
| Apr 21 | +1.3% | Mar 30 | −1.8% |
| May 18 | +1.2% | Dec 8 | −1.7% |
Volatility: 10.0% (annualised standard deviation of daily changes).
Month by month
| Month | Close | Change |
|---|---|---|
| Jan | 266.52 | +3.1% |
| Feb | 265.53 | −0.4% |
| Mar | 251.06 | −5.4% |
| Apr | 252.55 | +0.6% |
| May | 249.28 | −1.3% |
| Jun | 240.29 | −3.6% |
| Jul | 244.06 | +1.6% |
| Aug | 257.32 | +5.4% |
| Sep | 256.12 | −0.5% |
| Oct | 255.02 | −0.4% |
| Nov | 244.25 | −4.2% |
| Dec | 250.36 | +2.5% |
Other Markets in 1994
Change over the calendar year.
| Market | Change | Year-end |
|---|---|---|
| Russell 2000 | −3.2% | 250.36 |
| Dow Jones Industrial Average in 1994 | +2.1% | 3,834.44 |
| S&P 500 in 1994 | −1.5% | 459.27 |
| Nasdaq Composite in 1994 | −3.2% | 751.96 |
| Nikkei 225 in 1994 | +13.2% | 19,723.00 |
| Gold in 1994 | −2.2% | $383.25 |
| Silver in 1994 | −5.2% | $4.85 |
| WTI crude oil in 1994 | +25.2% | $17.77 |
| Brent crude oil in 1994 | +23.1% | $16.23 |
| US 10-year Treasury yield in 1994 | +2.01 pp | 7.84% |
Russell 2000 in 1994: FAQ
How much did the Russell 2000 fall in 1994?
The Russell 2000 fell 3.2% in 1994, from 258.59 at the end of 1993 to 250.36. Its highest close was 271.08 on Mar 18 — a record that stood until May 16, 1995, and its lowest 235.16 on Dec 9. The biggest one-day fall was −2.2% on Feb 4 and the biggest rise +2.8% on Apr 5. Adjusted for inflation, it lost 5.7%.
What were the highest and lowest closes of the Russell 2000 in 1994?
Highest: 271.08 on March 18, 1994. Lowest: 235.16 on December 9, 1994. It closed higher on 142 of 252 trading days.
What happened to the Russell 2000 on February 4, 1994?
Fed raises its federal funds target to 3.25%, its first tightening since 1989, starting a bond-market sell-off. The Russell 2000 fell 2.2% that day, and was −0.3% a month later.
Did the Russell 2000 reach a record high in 1994?
Yes — 14 record closing highs, the last at 271.08 on March 18, 1994.
Data: Daily closes since Sep 1987. Price index: dividends are not included. Inflation: US CPI-U. Events marked "From the data" are found automatically from the closing prices; the others are researched, with the source linked. Not investment advice.
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@misc{corgano2026russell2000in1994, author = {{Corgano}}, title = {Russell 2000 in 1994}, howpublished = {\url{https://goldprice.corgano.com/market-history/russell-2000/1994}}, year = {2026}, note = {Corgano Gold Price, accessed 2026-10-31}}